Cigar lighter



Nov. 21, 1939. L. c. cARlsslMl 2,180,703

CIGAR LIGHTER Filed Aug. ll, 1936 FI/'gl 27 f/ Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Automatic Devices Corporation,

Bridgeport,

Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application August 11,

18 Claims.

This invention relates to electric cigar lighters. More specifically it is an improvement over that form of automatically controlled cigar lighter shown in the copending application, Serial No. 93,770, led August l, 1936, by Joseph H. Cohen.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved means for preventing damage being done by an overheated heating element of a cigar lighter.

Another object is to avoid damage being done as a result of a short-circuit in the cigar lighter which would cause excessive currents to iiow through the parts thereof including the current supply wire.

While the present invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to automatically controlled cigar lighters of the type in which the igniting unit is completely removed from the holding device for use, the present invention has special utility and advantage when used in such a device.

Accordingly, in illustrating an embodiment of the invention, the one at present preferred, there is shown herein an automatic cigar lighter of the removable igniting unit type.

To accomplish the objects of this invention above stated, as well as others which will hereinafter appear, the present invention provides a fuse in the circuit supplying current to the electric resistance constituting part of the heating element. The fuse, according to the present invention, is not in close heat-exchanging relation with the heating element, and, therefore, is not affected by transmitted heat from said element. It is, however, in electrical connection therewith, so that, should a short-circuit develop between the coils of the resistance wire, the excessive current which would ow through the circuit as a result thereof would cause the fuse to blow in the usual manner of electric fuses.

To automatically and permanently disconnect the cigar lighter element from the energizing circuit, however, in the event of overheating resulting from abuse or misuse by the user, or from failure of the automatic circuit-opening means properly to function, means are provided by the present invention for causing the electric fuse to blow, even though no short-circuit exists in the resistance member itself.

For this purpose, a heat-deformable member is placed in heat-receiving relation with the heating element, and when the latter is overheated, this deformable member short-circuits said element; that is, the member connects the fuse directly to the source of current supply, causing the entire supply now increased current to pass 1936, Serial No. 95,365

through the fuse without appreciable resistance in the circuit, and causing the fuse to blow and open the circuit.

In the specific form of the invention herein disclosed, the fuse is carried by the igniting unit, and is a cartridge-type fuse, mounted in clips so that it may be easily removed and replaced.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing, showing one embodiment of the present invention:

Figure 1 is an axial sectional View of the lighter with the igniting unit in inoperative or opencircuit position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing the igniting unit in closed-circuit position.

Fig. 3 is also an axial section showing the igniting unit in energizing position, but showing the usual bimetallic circuit opener as having failed to function, and showing the fuse carried by the igniting unit as having blown due to short-circuiting of the heating element.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4 4 of- Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detailed plan view of a supporting disk and clip for one end of the replaceable fuse.

As shown in the drawing, the present invention is applied to an automatic cigar lighter of the type in which the igniting unit is completely removed from the holding device for use, In the particular lighter illustrated the holding device comprises a well or socket I adapted to be mounted in a vhole in an instrument board I I of an automobile, with a flange I2 of the well in engagement with the face of the instrument board. The well is secured in place by a U-shaped clamp I3 apertured to slide over a boss I4 extending from a plate I secured to the bottom I6 of the well.

The igniting unit is a generally cylindrical member to nt the cylindrical shell I0, and has a handle portion Il adapted to project from the Well and by means of which the igniting unit is grasped for operation and handling in use.

At its inner end, the igniting unit is provided with a heating element I8 in the form of a coil of high resistance wire I9 which, upon energization, is made hot-usually incandescentso that when it is applied to the end of a cigar or cigarette, it will ignite the same. The resistance wire I9 is carried in a cup 20 suitably mounted on an insulating cap 2l, which cap is provided with a screw-threaded portion 22 engaging a screw-threaded portion of a metal ring 23 on the igniting unit. It is by means of the screwthreaded connection 22, 23 that the heating element is removably mounted on the igniting unit for purposes of fuse replacement, as will be described later.

The igniting unit is made up of several other parts including a cylindrical sleeve 24 which screws into the threaded ring 23, said sleeve being also preferably of metal, and having threaded on its outer end the handle or knob I'I. In addition to this, the igniting unit includes an ejecting member in the form of a sleeve 25 slidably mounted on the sleeve 24 and handle portion I l. At its outer end, the sleeve 25 has a flange 26 adapted to engage the flange I2 of the well when the igniting unit is in normal position in said well. At its other end, the sleeve 25 has a flange 2'I extending inwardly and adapted to slide on the sleeve 24 in the space between the ring 23 and the end of the knob or handle Il. Normally, the sleeve 26 is located in the position shown in Fig. 1, wherein the ange 21 engages the front edge of the insulating member 23, and said sleeve is held in this position by an expansion spring 21a which is compressed when the igniting unit is moved from its normal open-circuit position shown in Fig. 1 to its closed-circuit position shown in Fig. 2.

As stated above, the cup 20 encloses the heating wire I9 but in addition it is also connected to the outer convolution of the wire coil to constitute one contact in the circuit including the heating element. The other contact on the igniting unit is constituted by the ring 23 and the cylindrical sleeve 24 and sleeve 25, which latter sleeve engages the wall of the well I0. Usually the well is grounded on the motor vehicle by reason of the engagement with the instrument board I I, but if for any reason it is not connected to the battery through grounding, a suitable wire from the instrument board may be connected in any way desired to the well.

Within the shell I and in position to be engaged by the cup 20, are contacts 28, secured to the bottom plate I in the well by a stud 29. The stud is insulated from the boss I4 by a sleeve of insulating material 30 and the contacts are insulated from the plate I5 by an insulating washer 3|. The stud 29 projects beyond the boss I4 and its outer end is provided with nuts 32 and 33. The nut 32 is insulated from the end of the boss by a fibre Washer 34. When the nut 32 is tightened, the head 35 of the stud draws the contact 28 and insulating washer 3I tightly against the bottom plate. The wire 36 from the battery or other source of current is usually provided with a lug 31 carried by the threaded end 38 of the stud 29 and is clamped to the stud in firm electrical contact herewith by the nut 33.

When the heating element of the igniting unit is to be energized and brought to incandescence for use, the knob portion I'I is pushed inwardly. This causes, in the form of the invention herein disclosed, the entire igniting unit to be moved inwardly, with the exception of the sleeve 25 which remains relatively stationary, and causes the spring 21a to be compressed. In so moving inwardly, the cup 2D of the heating element is brought into engagement with the contacts 28, and, at the same time, positive electrical connection between the ring 23 and the well I0 is insured by a resilient tongue 39 lanced from the shell and engaging said ring.

In the device illustrated herein, when the cup 20 engages the contacts 28, the latter embrace the cup with sufficient resiliency to hold the igniting unit in the energizing position of Fig. 2, the contacts being biased inwardly and having inwardly bent portions 4I) which extend over the sides and back of the cup. The igniting unit is held in this position against the tendency of the spring 21a to return it to deenergizing position.

As stated, the cigar lighter illustrated herein by way of example is of the automatic type, and accordingly the contacts 28 are made of bimetallic material or of such other material that when the heating element has been brought to the desired temperature for use, the contacts 28 will have spread apart sufficiently to release the cup 20 from their grasp so as to allow the igniting unit to return to open-circuit position, as in Fig. 1, through the action of the ejecting spring 27a. The igniting unit may then be taken from the holder so that the heating element I8 may be applied to the end of a cigar or cigarette to ignite the same.

With the automatic cigar lighter herein disclosed, when a driver of a vehicle desires to light a cigar or cigarette he merely pushes in on the knob or handle Il toy bring the igniting unit into energized position. He then relinquishes his hold on the igniting unit, and reaches for his cigar, and during the few seconds required for this, the heating element is being brought to incandescence, after which the igniting unit moves to ejecting position as in Fig. 1 with a slight clicking sound which indicates to the user that the lighter is ready for use. In addition to this signal, the knob I 'I is usually made of transparent material and is in light-conducting relation with the heating element, so that when the latter is incandescent, the knob I'I. or a portion thereof is made of glow. In the form shown, the knob I 'I itself is made of substantially opaque material, but the end of such knob has a lens 4I which is caused to glow by light from the heating element.

With the device thus far described, when functioning in its intended manner, there is no danger of the cigar lighter becoming overheated, for when the heating element reaches the desired temperature, the bimetallic contacts 28 release the heating element and the igniting unit for movement to open-circuit position.

However, to guard against the dangers and damages resulting from overheating of the heating element because of some improper use or abuse of the device by the user, or because of some failure of the device properly to operate, the present invention provides means for opening the heating element circuit when said element dangerously overheats, said means including a fusible element series connected to said circuit, and including means for causing the fusible element to melt, due to an overload current, at a predetermined overheat temperature of the heating element. In exemplification of this, the present invention provides a meltable link in series with the electrical circuit feeding current to the heating element, and provides a means for reducing the effective resistance of said circuit in response to overheat of the element so that an overload current will result thereby, which current will cause the link to melt and open the circuit permanently.

In the form of the invention illustrated herein as exemplary thereof, the fusible element is carried by the igniting unit, and the means for reducing the resistance of the circuit includes a bimetallic member which, in responding to dangerous overheating of the element, flexes and short-circuits said element.

It will be recalled that, as stated above, current carried by the heating wire I9 passed through the ring 23 of the igniting unit. However, said ring is not directly connected to the heating element, but is connected thereto through the intermediary of the fusible member.

For this purpose, the inner convolution of the resistance Wire I9 is connected to a stud 42 which extends through the cap 2| of the heating element. The stud 42 carries a metal spring clip 43 Within said cap, the stud being headed over on the clip as shown, The clip 43, see Figs. 1 and 4, has four spring arms adapted to grasp and hold one end of a cartridge fuse 44, said fuse extending forwardly within the sleeve 24, and having its foremost end similarly grasped by a metal clip 45 carried by a circular plate 46, see Figs. 1 and 5, which plate is supported in the igniting unit between the end of the sleeve 24 and an internal shoulder of the handle I1. Thus the inner convolution of the heating coil I9 is connected, by means of the fuse 44, to the sleeve 24 and thence to the ring 23. The fuse 44 is of the usual cartridge type having a cylindrical insulating body, the ends of which carry metal contact caps 41 and 48, and the meltable element of said fuse is of a size to safely carry the current required by the heating coil I9 during its normal functioning, but said element will melt and open the circuit upon a substantial increase in current passing therethrough, as from a shortcircuit in the coils of the heating element, or for other reasons.

According to the present invention, there is provided means for reducing the effective resistance of the heating element circuit in response to dangerous overheating of said element so as to cause the fuse to melt. This overheating might result from failure of the bimetallic contacts 28 to function properly in opening the circuit upon attainment by the heating element of a predetermined useful temperature, or might result from other causes. In the form of the invention disclosed herein, this means is exemplified by a thermally operated switch for short-circuiting the heating element in response to dangerous overheating thereof, the specific illustrated form including a bimetallic switch arm 49 carried by the bottom of the cup 20 and electrically connected thereto, said arm being insulated from the stud 42, and the arm 49 extending forwardly as shown in Fig. l, closely adjacent the resilient clip 43 carried by the stud 42, and said arm being adapted to respond to heat from the heating element I8 by flexing inwardly, as shown in Fig. 3. The bimetallic contact arm 49 is further adapted to respond more slowly to heat from the heating element I8 than the bimetallic contacts 28. so that said latter contacts will act to open the circuit first. However, should the contacts 28 for any reason whatever fail to open the circuit at the proper time, the bimetallic arm 49 will, in responding to dangerous overheating of the heating element I8 because of such failure, contact with the clip 43 carried by the stud 42, and this contact will immediately short-circuit the heating coil I9, causing a substantial reduction in the resistance of a circuit and an accompanying rise in the current through the circuit, which rise will in turn cause the fuse 44 to blow so as to open the circuit.

Thus, if for any reason, as from abuse of the lighter or failure of the parts to properly function, the heating coil I9v becomes dangerously hot, the circuit through said coil will be opened before adjacent parts are damaged to any appreciable extent. After such an action the lighter may be inspected and the trouble remedied, and the blown fuse readily replaced by unscrewing the cap 2I carrying the heating element I8. W'hen installing a new cartridge fuse, the cartridge may be inserted in the igniting unit so as to be held by the clip 45, whereupon the heating element I8 and cap 2I may be screwed to the end of said unit, causing the cartridge to be engaged by the clip 43.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

l. An electric cigar lighter comprising a holding device; a heating element; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a current supply circuit including cooperating means on the holder and igniting unit for energizing said heating element to bring the latter to desired temperature for use; means for automatically causing said current supply circuit to be opened when the heating element has been brought to a predetermined temperature for use; an electric fuse included in said circuit; and means responsive to overheating of the heating element for causing excessive current to flow through said fuse so as to destroy the same to permanently open said circuit.

2. An electric cigar lighter comprising a holding device; a heating element; an igniting unit carrying a heating element and mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a current supply circuit including cooperating means on the holder and igniting unit for energizing said heating element to bring the latter to desired temperature for use; means for automatically causing said current supply circuit to be opened when the heating element has been brought to a predetermined temperature for use; an electric fuse included in said circuit; and means responsive to overheating of the heating element for short-circuiting said heating element and causing excessive current to flow through said fuse so as to destroy the same to permanently open said circuit.

3. An electric cigar lighter comprising a holding device; a heating element; an igniting unit carrying a heating element and mounted on the holding device for complete removal for use; a current supply circuit including cooperating means on the holder and igniting unit for energizing said heating element to bring the latter to desired temperature for use; means for automatically causing said current supply circuit to be opened when the heating element has been brought to a predetermined temperature for use: an electric fuse included in said circuit; and a thermostatically operated switch responsive to overheating of the heating element for shortcircuiting the heating element and causing excessive current to fiow through said fuse so as to destroy the same to permanently open said circuit.

4. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; electrical circuit means carried by the holding device; means for closing a circuit from the holding device through the heating element, including means responsive to heat from the heating element for opening said circuit when the element reaches a predetermined temperature; a fuse in said circuit; and means responsive to heat from the heating element for reducing the resistance of the circuit to cause an overload of current through the fuse in the event that the heating element becomes hotter than said predetermined temperature due to failure of said iirst-named heatresponsive means to function, so as to destroy said fuse and thereby open the circuit through said element.

5. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an ignting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding devicefor use; a heating element carried by the ignting unit; electrical circuit means carried by the holding device; means for closing a circuit from the holding device through the heating element; a fuse in said circuit; and means responsive to heat from the heating element for reducing the resistance of the circuit to cause an overload of current through the fuse in the event that the heating element reaches a predetermined dangerous degree of heat, so as to destroy said iuse and thereby open the circuit through said element.

6. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use; a heating element carried by the ignting unit; electrical circuit means carried by the holding device; means for closing a circuit from the holding device through the heating element; an overload circuit breaker in said circuit; and means responsive to heat from the heating element for reducing the resistance of the circuit to cause an overload of current through said circuit breaker in the event that the heating element reaches a predetermined dangerous heat, so as to open the circuit through the element.

7. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use; a heating element carried by the ignting unit; electrical circuit means carried by the holding device; means for closing a circuit from the holding device through the heating element; means for opening the circuit in response to an overload of current therethrough; and means for reducing the resistance of the circuit to cause an overload of current therethrough in response to a predetermined dangerous degree of heat of the heating element.

8. The invention as defined in claim '7, in which the means for opening the circuit includes a fuse in series with the circuit; and in which the means for reducing the resistance of the circuit comprises heat-responsive means for short-circuiting the heating element.

9. The invention as dened in claim 7, in Which the means for reducing the resistance of the circuit to cause an overload of current therethrough includes a contact connected to the heating element, and a bimetallic arm connected to another point of the heating element and adapted to respond to heat from the element by engaging said contact to short-circuit a portion of said element.

10. An electric cigar lighter comprising a holding device; an ignting unit supported by and completely removable from the holdingv device for use; a heating element carried by the ignting unit; electrical circuit means carried by the holding device; means for closing a circuit from the holding device through the heating element, including means for opening said circuit in response to a predetermined useful heating of said element; means for opening the circuit in response to an overload of current therethrough; and means for reducing the resistance of the circuit to cause an overload of current through said circuit in response to a predetermined dangerous degree of heat of the heating element.

1l. The invention as dened in claim 10, in Which the means for reducing the resistance of the circuit includes a thermally operated switch for bridging a portion of said circuit.

12. The invention as defined in claim 10, in which the means for reducing the resistance of the circuit includes a bimetallic member connected with the heating element, and an electrical contact cooperating With said member, connected with another part of the heating element.

13. An electric cigar lighter comprising a hoiding device; an ignting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use; a heating element carried by the ignting unit; electrical circuit means carried by the holding device; means for closing a circuit from the holding device through the heating element, including means for opening said circuit in response to a predetermined useful heating of said element; a fuse in series With the heating element, having one end connected with one end of said element; a bimetallic arm connected to the other end of the heating element, and adapted to contact With the common connection of the fuse and element in response to dangerous overheating of said element so as to short-circuit the element and blow the fuse.

14. In a cigar lighter, a removable ignting unit adapted to be supported in a holding device, consisting of an elongate plug-like body having a longitudinal recess therein opening at one end of the body; a heating element comprising a coil of heating Wire, an electrical connection member attached to one end of the Wire, and an external contact connected With the remaining end of the heating wire; means for demountably securing the heating element to the open end of the igniting unit body so that the connection member is accessible from the recess; a contact on said body extending into the recess thereof; a fusible member; and means for securing the fusible member in the recess of the body to connect said contact to said connection member of the heating element When the latter is mounted in place.

15. In a cigar lighter, a removable ignting unit adapted to be supported in a holding device, consisting of an elongate plug-like body having a longitudinal recess therein opening at one end of the body; a heating element comprising a coil of heating wire, an electrical connection member attached to one end of the wire, and an external contact connected With the remaining end of the heating Wire; means for demountably securing the heating element to the open end of the igniting unit body so that the connection member is accessible from the recess; a contact on said body extending into the recess thereof; a fusible member; means for securing the fusible member in the recess of the body to connect said contact to said connection` member of the heating element when the latter is mounted in place; and means responsive to overheating of the heating element for connecting the external contact of said element With the connection member thereof to short-circuit the element and thereby overload the fusible member to melt same so that the latter permanently disconnects the igniting unit contact from said connection member.

16. In a cigar lighter, a removable igniting unit adapted to be supported in a holding device, consisting of a heating element; a body to which the heating element is secured; a contact connected With one end of the heating element; a second contact, on the body; a fusible member connecting the other end of the heating element With said second contact; and means responsive to overheating of the heating element for short-circuiting same to overload the fusible member and cause the latter to melt so that said second contact is permanently disconnected from the heating element.

17. In a cigar lighter, a removable igniting unit adapted to be supported in a holding device, consisting of an elongate plug-like body having a longitudinal light channel therein opening at one end of the body; a heating element comprising a coil of heating Wire, an electrical connection member attached to one end of the Wire, and an external contact connected with the remaining end of the heating Wire; means for demountably securing the heating element to the open end of the gniting unit body so that the connection member is accessible from the channel; a contact on said body, extending into the recess'thereof; an elongate fusible member of smaller girth than the channel of the body; and means for securing the fusible member in said channel to connect said contact to the said connection member of the heating element so that the light from the element can pass around the fusible member and past said securing means to traverse the entire length of the channel.

18. In a cigar lighter, a removable igniting unit adapted to be supported in a holding device, consisting of an elongate plug-like body having a longitudinal light channel therein opening at one end of the body; a heating element comprising a coil of heating Wire, an electrical connection member attached to one end of the Wire, and an external Contact connected with the remaining end of the heating Wire; means for demountably securing the heating element to the open end of the igniting unit body so that the connection member is accessible from the channel; a contact on said body, extending into the recess thereof; an elongate fusible member of smaller girth than the channel of the body; means for securing the fusible member in said channel to connect said contact to the said connection member of the heating element so that the light from the element can pass around the fusible member and past said securing means to traverse the entire length of the channel; and means mounted in the channel and responsive to overheating of the heating element for conM necting the external contact of said element with the connection member thereof to short-circuit the element and thereby overload the fusible member to melt same so that the latter permanently disconnects the igniting unit Contact from said connection member.

LOUIS C. CARISSIMI. 

